MP Reynolds at Co-operative Party conference

MP Jonathan Reynolds joined hundreds of delegates at the Co-operative Party Annual Conference at the weekend.

During the three-day conference delegates from co-operative parties and societies from across the country joined together to share ideas and debate policies.

They were joined by dozens of Co-operative Parliamentarians, including Ed Balls, Stephen Twigg, Tom Watson and Jonathan Reynolds.

And as well as speeches and debates it included a marketplace showcasing the best from the Co-operative and Labour movements, marking the International Year of Co-operatives.

During the conference – held at New Century Hall, Manchester – there were a number of opportunities for delegates to quiz panels of MPs.

And on Saturday afternoon Mr Reynolds joined fellow Labour and Co-operative MPs Luciana Berger, Meg Munn and Mark Lazarowicz to take part in a Question and Answer session, where topics ranged from constituency boundary changes to regional pay, from Land Value Tax to Liberal Democrats.

Earlier in the day Mr Reynolds chaired a panel event which considered co-operative housing, which included contributions from Director of the Confederation of Co-operative Housing Nic Bliss, Leader of Rochdale Council Cllr Colin Lambert and managing director of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing Gareth Swarbrick.

Commenting on the event Mr Reynolds – the Labour and Co-operative Party MP for Stalybridge and Hyde – said: "I was delighted to be asked to contribute to the Co-operative Party Annual Conference.

"As a Labour and Co-operative MP, this is an important opportunity to be accountable to the members of the party you represent.

"But this is a great chance for people who believe in the same aims and values to come together and share ideas – and being a part of that is both inspiring and rewarding."

More information about the Co-operative Party can be found at www.party.coop